Long before the Causeway, Mandeville was where New Orleans came to breathe. Families crossed Lake Pontchartrain by steamboat to escape the city’s summer heat, building cottages and grand homes under the live oaks. Nearly two centuries later, the historic neighborhoods of Mandeville still set the tone for life on the Northshore: walkable, shaded and full of character.
If you’re dreaming of a home with history, here are the Mandeville neighborhoods to know.
Old Mandeville: where it all began
Mandeville was founded in 1834 by Bernard de Marigny, a New Orleans aristocrat whose sugar plantation is now Fontainebleau State Park. The town grew up around a simple street grid near the lake, and that grid is still the heart of Old Mandeville today. Stroll Girod and Carroll Streets and you’ll find:
- The Jean Baptiste Lang House, a Creole cottage built around 1850 as a summer escape from New Orleans heat and yellow fever. After Hurricane Katrina it was moved six blocks inland to Kierr Gardens to save it.
- The Candy Bank, a sweets shop inside the century-old St. Tammany Bank building at 201 Carroll Street.
- The Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall, which opened in 1895 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Early jazz legends played there, and it still hosts concerts today.
Homes range from raised Creole cottages to Craftsman bungalows and Victorian-era houses, mixed in with newer homes built to match the historic style.
Old Mandeville is the heart of it all. Carroll and Girod Streets are two of my favorites, with street fairs and the Girod Street Stroll bringing the whole community together, and coffee, a bakery or dinner just a short walk away. And if you love Old Mandeville, you’ll love Lewisburg. It has the same old Southern soul, with moss-draped oaks, historic homes and lazy afternoons by the lake, just quieter and more tucked away.
Alicia Lagarde Craig, ALC Realty
Lakeshore Drive: the summer-home corridor
For generations, Lakeshore Drive was Mandeville’s front porch. Wealthy New Orleans families built summer homes facing the lake, and many still stand today. Landmarks along the drive include the Marigny-Bechac House, the original yacht club building, and the beloved Pat’s Rest Awhile restaurant.
Today, the seawall walking path, the giant oaks and the Sunset Point pier make Lakeshore Drive one of the most photographed streets on the Northshore, and homes here are some of the most sought-after in St. Tammany Parish.
Lewisburg: Old Mandeville’s quieter sister
Just west of Old Mandeville, Lewisburg began in 1829, when Judge Joshua Lewis bought a 980-acre lakefront tract called “Paradise.” In the 1800s it was a working village with steamboat landings, a sawmill and even a short-lived silk factory.
Today it’s a sleepy, oak-shaded neighborhood where the streets curve around the trees instead of cutting through them. It’s also home to the Seven Sisters Oak, the national champion live oak, estimated to be many centuries old.
Fontainebleau: Marigny’s plantation land
East of Old Mandeville, Bernard de Marigny’s former sugar plantation is now Fontainebleau State Park, 2,800 acres with hiking trails, a sandy lakefront beach and the brick ruins of the sugar mill he built in 1829. Nearby neighborhoods like Fontainebleau and Beau Chene offer more space and newer homes just minutes from the historic district.
Tips for buying a historic home in Mandeville
- Know the historic district rules. Mandeville has a Historic Preservation District, so exterior changes to homes in it may need city review.
- Plan around the oaks. The City of Mandeville requires a permit to remove many trees.
- Check elevation and flood zones. Homes near the lake can sit in higher-risk flood zones.
- Get a specialized inspection. Older homes can hide foundation, wiring or termite issues.
See it for yourself
The City of Mandeville offers a free QR-code walking tour of more than 40 historic sites. It’s a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning before grabbing lunch in Old Mandeville.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oldest neighborhood in Mandeville, LA? Old Mandeville, the original street grid laid out near the lake after Bernard de Marigny founded the town in 1834. Lewisburg, just to the west, dates its roots to 1829.
Does Mandeville have a historic district? Yes. Mandeville has a Historic Preservation District, and exterior changes to homes within it may require city review.
Where is the Seven Sisters Oak? In the Lewisburg neighborhood of Mandeville. It stands in a private front yard, so please admire it from the street.
Are there historic homes for sale in Mandeville? Yes, historic cottages, Craftsman bungalows and lakefront homes come up for sale in Old Mandeville, along Lakeshore Drive and in Lewisburg. ALC Realty can set up alerts so you hear about them first.
Thinking about a historic home on the Northshore?
ALC Realty knows these streets block by block. Search Mandeville homes, find out what your home is worth, or call (504) 382-3724.
Alicia Lagarde Craig, ALC Realty